(Sioux Falls, S.D.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team opened the 2009 NSIC Holiday Hoopfest with a non-conference contest against Winona State University. The Warriors, who defeated the Golden Gophers on November 4, could not find an answer for Diana Taddy (G, 5-6, JR, Two Rivers, Wis.) and Brittani Wiese (G, 5-7, FR, Albertville, Minn.) as the Golden Eagles took down the Warriors 78-66 in an overtime gem.

Minnesota, Crookston took a four point lead into the break on a Wiese three-pointer with six seconds remaining. Winona State took a two-point lead at the 19:06 mark of the second half but Taddy hit a jumper with 33 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. The Golden Eagles dominated the extra session outscoring Winona State 16-4 in the final five minutes of play. As a team, Minnesota, Crookston buried the Warriors in the paint outscoring Winona State 38-14 down low. UMC also turned 23 Winona turnovers into 25 points in the game.

Taddy led the Golden Eagles with a game and career-high 23 points. She was 7-16 from the field and a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line. She tied a game-high with three steals and dished out a game-high five assists. Taddy was two rebounds away from a double-double as she finished with eight. Wiese finished with a career-high 21 points on 8-11 shooting. She went 3-5 from long range and was 2-2 from the free-throw line. She tallied four assists and stole three Warrior passes. Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, JR, Northfield, Minn.) closed out the top scorers with 15 points in 39 minutes of play.

Winona State was led by Katie Wolff's 14 points and eight rebounds. Ana Wurtz finished with 13 points while Michelle McDonald and Marieanna Dulas finished with 11 points each.

The Golden Eagles advance to 2-1 overall while the Warriors drop to 3-2 overall. The team returns to the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls tomorrow at noon. Minnesota, Crookston takes on Northern State to close out the NSIC Holiday Hoopfest.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com. 

Top Photo: Diana Taddy
Bottom Photo: Brittani Wiese

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).